Teachers Resource Force​The Blog

Do you have the cold or flu but don't want the hassle of taking a day off and organizing work for a substitute teacher? Then keep on reading!

If you're a teacher, you undoubtedly have the "guilt gene" when it comes to taking time off sick... We know we shouldn't, and many say it's not good to spread the germs around etc, but there are times when we just need to press through the day regardless.

So if you have decided that you want to soldier on and teach when feeling sick, then these are my 10 tips on how I do it:

1) Sleep. Get an early night if you can and maybe wake up a tiny bit later than usual if it's possible. When you're feeling sick, you are obviously much weaker and more physically drained than usual (if that's even possible..!) so you need all the rest you can get. Take it slow.

2) A nice hot steamy shower. Breathe in the steam to help clear up sinuses.

3) Take those vitamins. Yes, I should probably have done this much more before I got sick, but better late than never. Get vitamins in your system, pronto!

4) Fix yourself up as best you can. I may feel sick but I don't have to look it! (Although apparently I still do, thanks all...) I also wear lots of layers so I can maintain a comfortable body temperature. I can't tolerate shivering or sweating when teaching, I need to be just right! Goldilocks knows what she's talking about.

5) Take meds. When I'm sick, I usually take some Paracetamol or Ibuprofen during the day - sometimes I alternate between these (always seek your own medical advice first). For the cold or flu, I live by the 'Lemsip Max capsules', they rock. Rock my world. In fact, they are so good they almost convince me that I am fully healed, until they wear off that is... They have caffeine in them too which is great at giving that boost that we desperately need as teachers!I also live by 'Sudafed' nasal spray for bunged up or runny noses. It works wonders.Cough / sore throat lozenges with menthol are great at numbing throat pain as well.

6) Try and take it easy when teaching. This is the tough one. We don't have desk jobs where we can sit most of the day: we need to be front and center stage. For those days when you are feeling rubbish, just let the students know. Mine are always very lovely and sympathetic with me when I do, which really helps. If you can get students doing something which isn't too demanding on you physically, then that's better too. Lots of peer assessment or independent work, or maybe an appropriate video clip are just some ideas. You can then get students to come up to speak to you individually which is much less physically taxing.

7) Eat and drink. This needs to be made a priority when sick as we often don't get time for much of either during the day. Keep those fluids going all day long and get some nice hot soup or something at lunch too.

8) Hand sanitizer. Disinfectant. Do what you can to avoid spreading germs!

9) Tissues. Keep a pack everywhere!

10) Go home on the bell. Don't overexert yourself, you did a great job even going in for your students, so there is no need for overtime if you don't feel up to it. Go home as early as you can, get into some comfy warm clothes and take a nap if you want, you deserve it!

How likely are you to go to work when sick? If you're poorly at the moment, here's wishing you a speedy recovery!

Thank you so much for this post. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one with the guilt gene! I'm feeling poorly today so I'll probably use some of your advice tomorrow if I'm not feeling better, thank you! :)

Thanks for your comment, I'm so glad you enjoyed this blog post! I'm very sorry to hear you're unwell, but there are definitely those days when you need to take time to heal, so you are right to listen to your body.

It's extra hard as a new teacher as well, so go easy on yourself! If you ever have any questions about anything, feel free to email me any time: teachersresourceforce@yahoo.com.

Get well soon!

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